Veggies in Containers

comments (0) April 20th, 2009 in blogs

Ruth Dobsevage, Web producer

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Photo: Debbie Baxter

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If you have limited space and time but still want to try your hand at growing vegetables, think containers. No yard is necessary; a patio, deck, windowbox, or even a fire escape will do. All you'll need is a couple of containers, some soil, seeds or seedlings, and a little fertilizer. Your cash outlay will be minimal, and you'll have the satisfaction of growing something tasty to eat.

According to a 2009 National Gardening Association Survey, you will not be alone. About half of all food gardening households (48 percent) grow food in containers. I've always been blessed with enough space for an in-ground garden, so I never had to "resort" to growing vegetables in containers, but this year I decided to learn something about it.

This morning I attended a seminar on the topic at Hollandia Nursery in Bethel, Connecticut, an established family-owned business with gorgeous display gardens and acres of greenhouses with flats of annuals, perennials, and vegetables as far as the eye can see. Here's what I learned:

Location, location
Vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. For heat-loving plants, a south or southwest exposure is best. To keep lettuces productive in the summer, a southeastern exposure gives them light early in the day and keeps them out of the strong afternoon sun. Of course if your container is small enough to carry, you can move from place to place, as necessary.

Choosing a container
You can buy a container that's diminutive or you can get one that requires a forklift to move. You can even get a railing planter with a bottom that's configured to sit snugly on a 2x4 or 2x6 deck railing. Or you can simply reuse something you already have, such as a whiskey planter, garbage can, joint-compound bucket, baskets, or windowbox. Just make sure that it has drainage holes at or near the bottom and that it's deep enough for what you want to grow. Lettuces and herbs require the least depth; tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, and cukes the most.

Soil selection is critical
A high-quality potting soil is your best bet, and Reelick recommends Hamptons Estate Professional Potting Soil. Another good choice is a commercial soil-less mix. Topsoil alone is too heavy and should be avoided. And it never hurts to add some compost. To retain moisture, Reelick suggests adding some Soil Moist to the bottom of the container to help retain moisture..

Plant from seed or seedlings
Either will work. Nearly any vegetable can be grown in containers (Reelick wouldn't suggest trying corn, pumpkins or watermelon), but it's best avoid "mammoth" varieties. Stick with "patio" tomatoes, Asian-style eggplants (long and skinny), and bush squash. Anything tall will need a trellis or stake and a deep container. For seeds, make a shallow depression in the soil, sprinkle in some seeds, cover lightly with sand, and water. For seedlings, plant and water. Be prepared to thin when the seeds sprout.

Water and fertilize
If your containers dry out completely, your plants are toast. Soak the containers before they reach that condition. Self-watering containers are sold by Gardener's Supply and many other garden sites. For fertilizing containers, Reelick swears by Osmocote and Jack's Classic Plant Food.

Don't forget to harvest
When the food is ready, don't let it go to waste. Pick leafy lettuce by the leaf, and the plant will grow more. When the radishes are pulled, you can plant something else.

In the fall, put your garden to bed
Each year you'll want to put a fresh soil mix into your containers, so you need to empty them before spring rolls around. With ceramic containers, it's important to do this in the fall if you live in a cold climate, or the containers may crack.

Learn more about growing veggies in containers
Your local cooperative extension station is a great resource for detailed information. Here are a couple of links to fact sheets:

Maryland Cooperative Extension:
Container Vegetable Gardening: Healthy Harvests from Small Spaces

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Vegetable Gardening in Containers

Arizona Cooperative Extension:
Vegetable Garden: Container Garden

Florida Coooperative Extension
Minigardening: Growing Vegetables in Containers